10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 1
Average Mileage:
98,929 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Toyota Tundra brakes problems

brakes problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Toyota Tundra:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2002 Toyota Tundra Owner Comments

problem #12

Jun 222023

Tundra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Sudden maximum acceleration accompanied by brake failure, without warnings, occurred on my 2002 Toyota Tundra 4.7L V8 causing loss of control of the vehicle, which ended in a rollover crash, resulting in total loss of the vehicle and injury to me. While departing a 25 mph zone (sign read "END 25 SPEED LIMIT") on a relatively straight section of the road, I very gently accelerated from 20 mph to 30 mph. As soon as the vehicle reached 30 mph, sudden maximum acceleration occurred. Taking my foot off of the gas pedal, first I verified that the gas pedal was not stuck or blocked, but the gas pedal was in the fully up position. I then pressed the brake pedal very hard, but it was locked in the fully up position and the brakes would not engage. I then verified that nothing was blocking the brake pedal underneath it. At that point, around 3 to 4 seconds after the sudden acceleration began, I had entered the first turn of a 30 mph "S" turn at a high rate of speed, while acceleration continued at the vehicle's maximum acceleration rate beyond my control with the brakes not engaging. In order to avoid collision with a camper motor home and a small car following it, I went into the oncoming traffic lane at the second turn of the "S" turn. My truck fish tailed and struck a reflector marker on the left side of the road. To avoid going down a 50+ foot, nearly straight down drop on the left side of the road, I turned right. To avoid striking the motor home, I turned left, then right again to try to gain control. My truck rolled on its left side and landed upright on the right side of the road. It had been accelerating at its maximum acceleration rate with the brakes failing to engage and fish tailing the entire time. The problem appeared to be a catastrophic failure of the electronic throttle control and/or related electronic systems.

- Santa Ysabel, CA, USA

problem #11

Nov 042021

Tundra

  • miles
The Toyota Tundra 2002 truck did NOT deploy driver's side and passenger's side airbags in a collision consisting of frontal and left-sided collision with immobile objects, with frontal/top profound impact from standing tree. The car was up to date on its inspections and maintenance. The breaks, though appropriately checked and tested, would take longer than normal to break the vehicle. The seatbelt, if pulled hard enough, would easily dislodge from buckle, coming undone. The driver of this vehicle collided as described above and due to the failure(s) of the safety mechanisms in place, resulted in the death of the driver. The driver was restrained with seatbelt, however dislodged from buckle upon impact and NO airbags deployed. The issue(s) have been confirmed by the police report, the county police documented. The vehicle has been inspected by police officers, and possibly others, including the employees of the towing company. There was NO indication thats the airbag deployment was either "off" if possible, and or indications of airbag defect. No messages or lights were indicated for the failure of the deployment of the airbags. No messages or lights were indicated for the defect and or failure of the seatbelt not remaining intact with force. The person in reference PASSED AWAY on impact at scene. The failures of the safety mechanisms put into place for this vehicle are absolutely unacceptable and beyond subpar.

- Severn, MD, USA

problem #10

Jun 282021

Tundra

  • miles
I almost hit another vehicle while braking at a stop light. My front brakes gave out. Had new brakes and rotors installed 2 yrs ago and after this incident found that my brakes failed because Toyota refused to fix this problem they knew existed 1 gen Toyota tundra. They changed enlarged the front caliber and pads on 2 gen Toyota because they realized the brakes whe re w to small on the big v8 trucks. I drove aprox 25000 miles on brand new brakes. I should not have to pay for upgrading my front brakes due to a manufacturer defect, How can they get out of recalling these vehicles it is very dangerous and hope they accept responsibility for improper equipment installed on vehicles. I read that they did upgrade some vehicles that where still in warranty why not all"? Vehicles regardless of warranty.??"

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #9

Jun 012012

Tundra 8-cyl

  • 95,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tundra. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 09V444000 (structure). The vehicle was taken to motor world (150 motorworld dr, wilkes-barre, pa 18702) where an anti-corrosive spray was applied to the frame. The frame became rusted a few years later and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The frame was sprayed again. A few years later, the brake lines had to be replaced due to the corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

- Honesdale, PA, USA

problem #8

Oct 122016

Tundra

  • 194,000 miles
Rear axle seals have failed four times in the past five years. When they fail, the rear brakes become coated with oil, significantly increasing stopping distance.

- Valley City, OH, USA

problem #7

Apr 162012

Tundra

  • 171,145 miles
My first issue was 3 years ago when my muffler was so rusted away I felt something dragging pulled over and seen my muffler had fall almost off hanging there. The next year I pulled into my work and all my studs on my tire broke and my tire and rim went one way and me and the truck went other way. Now my brakes keep sticking then they finally just stopped working all together after replacing pads. I have went thur 3 sets of tires in 4 years. I have it in the shop and they are saying my brake lines are completely corroded and falling apart.

- Mt. Pleasant, UT, USA

problem #6

Jan 032016

Tundra

  • 98,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We have a serious rust issue with our 2002 Toyota Tundra. Toyota replaced a frame but reattached all the already rusted pieces back onto the new frame. The break line has rusted through on several occasions. We have gone through a red light & stop sign. No was hurt, we were lucky but this truck is a death trap. We have hit the side of the garage trying to get it out of gear because everything is so rusted. We have contacted Toyota & have been told it's a maintenance issue not a defect. This truck 100% a defect! it is a pile of metal sitting in our driveway because I refuse to put my family in it. It us irresponsible to drive this vehicles, so in our & the publics best interest it sits in our driveway.

- Westport, MA, USA

problem #5

Oct 072015

Tundra

  • 164,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tundra. While driving 50 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from the driveshaft of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle became very difficult to stop, but the vehicle was eventually able to come to a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank strap fractured and fractured the brake line. The brake line was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 164,000.

- Bellefontaine, OH, USA

problem #4

Nov 012012

Tundra

  • 80,000 miles
I have a 2002 Toyota Tundra that I bought from del Toyota in thorndale pa. I bought this truck new from this dealer. Toyota sent me a letter for the recall of the frame. I took my truck to del Toyota to have the frame looked at in 2012 and they said the frame just needed sprayed. I was fine with that. The problem is now my frame has 4 inch holes in it up by the engine on both sides. There is not whey my frame would have rusted out that fast since the dealer looked at it in 2012. So I took my Tundra back to the dealer to have them inspect the holes and they told me they would call Toyota to get a new frame on it because I had the truck in during the recall period the first time. Little did I know Toyota said they will not replace my frame because the recall period is over. Then del Toyota told me to call Toyota Corp and talk to a case manager. So I called Toyota Corp and talked to [xxx] (the case manager) and she told me Toyota would not replace the frame because the recall period is over. I told her my truck was in for the recall and they sprayed it when the frame should have been replaced. She told me again Toyota will not replace my frame. So now I am stuck with a unsafe vehicle that I feel unsafe driving and will not pass inspection anymore. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Elverson, PA, USA

problem #3

Jun 012012

Tundra 8-cyl

  • 250,000 miles
While coming to a complete stop at or below 10 mph, the anti skid system begins to pulse the brakes which is felt at the brake pedal. No warning lights or system errors noted by Toyota of rockwall, Texas. Service manager advised the owner/operator of the 2002 Tundra to "drive it until a warning light illuminates on the dash".

- Heath, TX, USA

problem #2

Feb 132013

Tundra

  • 135,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the brakes, the brakes exhibited an abnormal increase in stopping time. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised that the cable for the emergency brake was severely rusted, causing the rear brakes to fail. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were approximately 135,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Lake Geneva, WI, USA

problem #1

Sep 072012

Tundra 4WD 8-cyl

  • miles
The 2002 Toyota Tundra has known issues with the front rotors and pads and service bulletin about the problem for corrections to be made. I complained to the dealer about the problem in 2003 with maybe 20,000 miles if that. The problem was corrected under warranty, that is, the rotors and pads were replaced, so I was told, but with the same problematic parts that were issued with the truck. The calipers, which have been reported as undersized for the vehicle, were not touched. Eventually the shimmy becomes bad enough it negatively affects the brake system. Toyota knew of the issue but did not follow through in truly correcting the problem.

- Clarkdale, AZ, USA

Not what you are looking for?